Elevator Display Cooling via Double-Wall Gap Fluid Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems with electronic visual displays face challenges in effectively cooling these displays without increasing size, cost, or power consumption, while also simplifying maintenance and minimizing noise and condensation.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system that utilizes a double-walled elevator car design with fluid flow paths to cool electronic visual displays, including a first flow path to cool the passenger space and a second flow path that directs fluid through a gap between the display and the inner wall, using fans to manage airflow and a controller to activate fans based on temperature or display activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional ventilation means are used to discharge heat from displays, then heat removal is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat removalVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is nested within the existing double-walled structure of the elevator car. The gap between the inner and outer walls serves as the cooling channel, eliminating the need for separate external cooling components. This nesting approach allows heat removal while maintaining a compact and simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The gap between the double walls serves multiple functions: it provides structural insulation, noise reduction, and now also serves as the cooling flow path for electronic displays. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated cooling structures, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If cooling systems are added to electronic visual displays, then heat is removed, but noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid flow path is nested within the existing double-walled structure, utilizing the gap between walls as the cooling channel. This eliminates the need for separate external cooling ducts and reduces the number of moving parts that generate noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The double-walled structure acts as an intermediary that provides both structural support and a cooling flow path. The gap between walls serves as a passive cooling channel that reduces noise from fans while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If cooling systems are implemented, then heat is removed, but condensation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat removalVSAvoidcondensation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The double-walled structure with its insulating gap acts as a thermal intermediary that prevents rapid cooling of the inner wall surface. This gradual temperature reduction minimizes the temperature differential that causes condensation, while still achieving effective heat removal from displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating gap in the double-walled structure provides beforehand cushioning against condensation by maintaining a more stable thermal environment. This prevents the rapid temperature changes that would otherwise lead to condensation on the inner wall surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Temperature

If multiple cooling components are added, then cooling effectiveness improves, but maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The double-walled structure serves multiple functions including structural support, insulation, noise reduction, and cooling. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that require maintenance, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is nested within the existing double-walled structure, utilizing the gap between walls as the cooling channel. This eliminates the need for separate external cooling components, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides effective cooling for electronic visual displays, reducing heat without being bulky or expensive, and minimizing noise and condensation, while simplifying maintenance and scaling with the number of displays and car size.

Implementation Method 1

fluid flow paths to cool electronic visual displays, including a first flow path to cool the passenger space and a second flow path that directs fluid through a gap between the display and the inner wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3800156B1Cooling system for elevator car electronic visual displays and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3800156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800156B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3800156B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a cooling system (20) for an elevator (10) with electronic visual displays (18), and a corresponding method. An example system (20) includes an elevator car (14) having an inner wall (24), and an electronic visual display (18) mounted to the inner wall (24) so as to define a gap (38) between the inner wall (24) and the electronic visual display (18). Further, fluid (F2) is configured to flow through the gap (38) to cool the electronic visual display (18).